Steve Smith's role could shape Cameron Bancroft's Test hopes

Steve Smith's potential shift to No. 4 in the batting order this summer shapes as opening the way for West Australian youngster Cameron Bancroft to debut and face the new ball in the Test opener against New Zealand next month.

It is understood the national selectors have yet to settle on where Smith will take guard at the Gabba, but there is support for him to slip back from No. 3 to No. 4 to provide balance and class, particularly against spin bowling.

Test opening?: Cameron Bancroft on his way to 64 against the Bushrangers. Photo: Getty Images

While he has the technique and temperament to handle either of the coveted roles, Smith indicated during the one-day series in England, just after he had officially replaced Michael Clarke as skipper, that he was considering slipping to No. 4. He had been elevated to No. 3 heading into the pre-Ashes series against the West Indies.

This decision is set to become clearer at a two-day training camp, to be held at Hurstville, in Sydney, from Tuesday.

If Smith does move to No. 4, Australia could conceivably have three left-handers in the top three spots, with David Warner, on the mend from a thumb injury, potentially joined by Shaun Marsh, with Usman Khawaja returning to the side at first drop.

While one argument is the three best candidates, regardless of style, should line up at the Gabba, having three left-handers provides a predictability the hosts may not want.

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West Australian great Tom Moody, also the former Sri Lankan coach, said right-hander Bancroft would be firmly in contention to replace the retired Chris Rogers should Smith opt to bat at No. 4 – the role traditionary reserved for the purest strokemaker.

Bancroft, 22, appeared likely to have made his Test debut against Bangladesh this month but that tour was aborted for safety reasons.

He has averaged 37.38 in 24 first-class matches but has the temperament to build a long innings, and is seen as the ideal long-term partner for the robust Warner.

"There are a number of things at play. If Smith is going to move to four, which there is talk about, I think Australia have to consider a right-hander at the top of the order because what will probably open up at three is Khawaja or Marsh, so another left-hander," Moody said on Monday.

"So having three left-handers at one, two and three may present a challenge, therefore that builds a stronger case for Bancroft, who is one of the rising stars. He had a good A tour and started this tournament off well and he comes with great recommendations from Justin Langer. If anyone would know about someone who can make it at Test level as an opener, Justin has a fair idea."

Veteran Adam Voges appears to have support to remain at No. 5, while Marsh, in what shapes as his last opportunity at Test level, may claim the No. 6 role.

Moody watched from the Channel Nine commentary box on Monday as Bancroft made a patient 64 off 100 balls while Marsh was dismissed for 16 in a domestic one-day clash against Victoria in Blacktown, where national selector Mark Waugh was on duty.

"Shaun can be considered anywhere from one to six. He is batting at five for Western Australia in shield cricket, and scoring hundreds there," Moody said.

"I know he has been used in a number of positions for Australia as well. I think with the recent retirements, what it will allow the selectors to do is seriously look at how they want their order to stack up, or how they look, whether that be the influence of the right-handers and left-handers, or where Smith is going to bat, and to have an opportunity to lay that foundation and be patient with it.

"The last thing they want to be doing is to be chopping and changing mid-series. I think they need to identify the right personnel. I think they have the right personnel – it's about getting the right bums on the right seats."

There will be 20 players at the Hurstville camp, with Victorian fast bowler James Pattinson added on Monday night after an impressive start to the domestic one-day series.

Mitchell Johnson, Mitch Starc and Peter Siddle shape as the frontline attack at the Gabba, against a Black Caps unit desperate to win on Australian soil for the first time since 1985-86.